Our Story

We’ve made ourselves at home since 1985, as Charlotte’s oldest nonprofit art gallery with working studios and display walls. Since then, we’ve been paving a new landscape for the art scene—an authentic art experience for art lovers of all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about our community—we promise this will be fun.

CAL (DBA: Queen City Art) is a 501 (c)3 non-profit visual arts organization that relies on annual membership dues, studio rentals, donations, and grants to sustain its activities. We offer a unique mix of open working studios, classes, and community outreach programs along with a public gallery.

  • Vision

    Queen City Art envisions a community that celebrates boundless creative expression and opportunity through arts, and the creative process.

  • Mission

    Queen City Art exists to enrich the community through teaching, empowering, and advocating for the creative arts.

Core Values

  • Introductory classes, skill development workshops, artist cultivation through scholarships.

  • Exhibitions and gallery shows, affordable workspace for artists, inclusive membership

  • Open/free gallery space, curation services, community engagement, and neighborhood art projects.